- April 13, 2016
- Attorney David Mann
- Medical Malpractice
One of the most dreaded words in the English language, “cancer” is the reason that more than half a million Americans lose their lives every year. Although the overall cancer death rate has continued to drop annually for the last decade, there is still progress to be made. For example, an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. The National Cancer Institute estimates that the most widespread forms in 2016 will be breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma of the skin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer, kidney and renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, endometrial cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
The Institute projects that almost 40 percent of Americans are likely to be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes. To further the goal of raising awareness, each month of the year is linked to educating the public about the issues surrounding cancer and cancer treatment. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month as well as National Cancer Control Month, the latter of which focuses on reminding people that there are lifestyle decisions they can make to reduce cancer risk, such as eating healthier, quitting tobacco, exercising regularly, and using sun protection. While health is a key concern for many, safety in other areas of life is equally essential, and seeking assistance from a pedestrian accident lawyer can be vital when facing unexpected challenges.
Beyond what people can do to help themselves, they need to be able to count on the medical community. The rate of survival for any type of cancer is heavily associated with time of diagnosis. Detecting cancer early gives patients the best chance for successful treatment. Diagnostic mistakes mean needless suffering for patients and their families, and in many cases, even lost lives. Unfortunately, millions of people who seek medical care are not properly diagnosed each year. When such diagnostic errors occur, consulting a medical malpractice lawyer can be an essential step for victims and their families. Common reasons for misdiagnosis include medical professionals who:
- Discount patient’s complaints of symptoms
- Don’t recognize the symptoms
- Fail to properly evaluate a patient’s risk factors such as medical history and personal habits
- Fail to recommend or conduct certain diagnostic tests
- Misinterpret test results
- Fail to follow-up after abnormal tests
- Fail to recommend or provide appropriate treatment
- Miscommunicate their findings.
Cancer is so prevalent that all of us have had it touch our lives in one way or another. Celebrating survivors is far preferable to the alternative. Knowing that a timely diagnosis is just as important as an accurate one, the Georgia failure to diagnose cancer attorneys at The Mann Law Firm are here to help. If you believe that a hospital or healthcare worker is responsible for your injuries, or if you have any questions about this topic, you can find out more by discussing it with us. We have over 50 years of experience helping people, and we can help you. Based in Macon, we believe that a mistake or omission that happens during medical treatment and causes a patient’s injury is unacceptable. Contact us to discuss your unique situation by calling (478) 742-3381 or by filling out our online form.